Palm Sunday is the day when we commemorate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where He was welcomed by a large crowd of people who waved palm branches and shouted “Hosanna!” They recognized Him as the Messiah, the King of Israel, who had come to save them from their oppressors.
But this joyous scene was soon followed by a dramatic turn of events. In less than a week, another crowd would demand His crucifixion. The religious leaders who felt threatened by His authority and popularity would conspire to arrest Him and hand Him over to the Roman governor. The disciples who had followed Him faithfully for three years would abandon Him and deny Him. And Jesus Himself would face the ultimate test of His obedience and love: to suffer and die on a cross for the sins of the world.
There is a strong contrast between Palm Sunday and Good Friday.
It tells us that we should not be swayed by the opinions and pressures of the world. The crowd that praised Jesus on Palm Sunday was easily influenced by the propaganda and manipulation of the religious leaders. They did not have a firm conviction of who Jesus was and what He came to do. They wanted a political savior, not a spiritual one. They wanted a king who would overthrow the Romans, not a king who would reign in their hearts.
We too can be tempted to follow the crowd and conform to the standards and expectations of the world. We can be deceived by false teachings and ideologies that contradict the truth of God’s word. We can be seduced by the allure of power, wealth, fame, and pleasure that the world offers. We can be intimidated by the threats and persecution that the world inflicts on those who follow Christ.
But Jesus calls us to be faithful to Him, no matter what the cost. He calls us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and to trust Him to provide for our needs. He calls us to take up our cross and follow Him, even if it means suffering and death.
Additionally, we should not be discouraged by the apparent defeat and failure of God’s plan. The disciples who witnessed Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion must have felt devastated and hopeless. They had believed that He was the Son of God, the promised Messiah, the one who would restore Israel and bring peace to the world. But now He was dead, buried in a tomb, and guarded by soldiers. How could this be the fulfillment of God’s promise? How could this be the victory of God’s kingdom?
We too can face situations that seem hopeless and impossible. We can face trials and tribulations that test our faith and endurance. We can face opposition and hostility that challenge our witness and ministry. We can face doubts and fears that shake our confidence and joy.
But Jesus assures us that He is not defeated, but victorious. He is not dead, but alive. He is not absent, but present. He is not weak, but powerful. He is not distant, but near. He is not silent, but speaking. He is not indifferent, but caring. He is not finished, but working.
He rose from the dead on the third day, proving that He is the Son of God, the Lord of life, and the conqueror of sin and death. He ascended to heaven, where He is seated at the right hand of God, interceding for us and ruling over all things. He sent His Holy Spirit, who dwells in us and empowers us to live and serve Him. He promised to return, to judge the living and the dead, and to establish His eternal kingdom of righteousness and peace.
Palm Sunday reminds us to remain faithful to Jesus, despite the power and influence of rulers and authorities. It reminds us to trust in His sovereignty, His wisdom, and His love. It reminds us to hope in His resurrection, His presence, and His return. It reminds us to worship Him, to follow Him, and to proclaim Him as our King and Savior.
Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
On this Palm Sunday, we gather to commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, a moment of profound joy and anticipation for His followers. We recall the palm branches waved in welcome, the shouts of “Hosanna!” echoing through the streets, and the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah, the King of Israel, come to save us from our oppressors. Yet, we also remember the dramatic turn of events that would unfold within days, leading to the crucifixion of Jesus.
We stand in awe of the contrast between Palm Sunday and Good Friday, reminded of the fickleness of human nature and the resilience of faith. The crowd that once praised Jesus with palm branches would soon turn against Him, their loyalties swayed by the manipulations of the religious leaders. They sought a political savior, not a spiritual one, and were quickly disillusioned by the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus.
We, too, face the temptation to follow the crowd, succumbing to the pressures of the world and its false teachings. We are vulnerable to the allure of power, wealth, and pleasure, and can be easily intimidated by the world’s threats and persecution. Yet, we are called to remain faithful to Jesus, to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and to trust in His sovereignty, wisdom, and love.
We are reminded not to be discouraged by the apparent defeat and failure of God’s plan, as seen in the crucifixion of Jesus. We must not lose hope, for Jesus is not defeated, but victorious. He rose from the dead, proving His divinity and power over sin and death. His resurrection assures us of His eternal presence and His promise to return, to judge the living and the dead, and to establish His eternal kingdom of righteousness and peace.
Palm Sunday calls us to remain faithful to Jesus, to trust in His sovereignty, and to hope in His resurrection, His presence, and His return. It encourages us to worship Him, to follow Him, and to proclaim Him as our King and Savior.
We pray, therefore, that we may be faithful to Jesus, no matter the cost. We pray for the strength to resist the temptations of the world, to trust in His promises, and to remain steadfast in our faith. We pray for the wisdom to discern the true teachings of God’s word and to resist the allure of false idols. We pray for the courage to bear our crosses and to follow Jesus, even when it leads to suffering and death.
Lord, we thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ, who came not as a conquering king but as a humble servant. We pray for the grace to live in gratitude for His sacrifice, reflecting His love and grace in all that we do. We pray for the peace that Jesus brought to Jerusalem, inspiring us to carry forward the message of justice and peace in our world.
May we, like the palm branches that welcomed Jesus, be instruments of Your peace, advocating for the marginalized and working towards justice for all of Your creation. May we remember the path of humility, sacrifice, and salvation that Jesus embarked upon, and draw strength from His example to live lives of service and compassion.
Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Recent Comments